Home > International

Yes, There’s a Hunter S. Thompson Dome and Today is the 50th Anniversary of His Famous Book

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas was published 50 years ago today. Several areas and routes have been named after the famous book

Photo by: (of) Hunter S. Thompson Dome

Hunter S. Thompson was an American journalist and author who is best known for his 1971 book Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. He founded the gonzo journalism movement, a style of reporting where the author is part of the story rather than removed.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas turns 50 today. It was first serialized in Rolling Stone and is about Thompson grappling with the implications of what he considered the failure of the 1960s counterculture movement. In 1998, director Terry Gilliam made a now-famous film about the book starring Johnny Depp and Benicio del Toro.

Tucked into Red Rocks are several domes that hold countless rock routes, and one of those domes is named after Hunter S. Thompson. The aforementioned dome has bolted and mixed routes up to 70 metres. From the top, you can walk off the back of the feature. The routes range from 5.9 to 5.12, with the hardest having bolted cruxes.

Hunter S. Thompson Dome Routes

Chrome Dome 5.10a/b
Crazy Eights 5.8
Mothers Milk 5.8
Walking the Vertical Beach 5.9+
Gonzo Dogs 5.10a
Runout Rodeo 5.10b
Fear and Loathing 5.10d
Liquid God 5.11b
Pretty in Pink 5.12a
Squire 5.10c
The De-Nogginizer 5.11a
Special Guest Posers 5.11a
Tin Horn Posers 5.11c

Crazy Eights POV

Check out the latest buyer's guide:

Easter Weekend Sales on Climbing Gear

Be sure that your rack is updated and ready for the upcoming rock climbing season
Lead photo: (of) Hunter S. Thompson Dome